Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to encourage the take up of electric cars.

baroness vere of norbiton: The Road to Zero strategy, published in July 2018, set out the Government’s mission to put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emission vehicles, and for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040. Going beyond this, we will now consult on the earliest date we can phase out the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars, while minimising the impact on drivers and businesses. We are investing nearly £1.5bn‎ between April 2015 and March 2021, with grants available for plug in cars, vans, lorries, buses, taxis and motorcycles. We also operate schemes to support charge point infrastructure at homes and workplaces and on residential streets. Our grant schemes and our £400m public-private Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund will see thousands more electric vehicle chargepoints installed across the UK. Along with the private sector Government will invest £1 billion in charging infrastructure – making sure that everyone is within 30 miles of a rapid charging station for electric vehicles. We have consulted on proposals for chargepoints to be installed with all newly built homes in England, where appropriate, and will set out a vision in early 2020 for a core network of rapid and high powered chargepoints along England’s key road network. We have also consulted on the introduction of Green Number Plates for ultra low emission vehicles to raise awareness and help normalise cleaner vehicles and increase their uptake. The Go Ultra Low comms campaign is now into its fifth year. This joint government-industry campaign aims to inform vehicle purchasers about the benefits of ULEVs and to dispel widespread myths.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure cross-border rail routes benefit from the Government's investment in HS2.

baroness vere of norbiton: As planned, HS2 trains will run directly to Scotland via a connection to the West Coast Main Line south of Preston, reducing journey times and improving reliability for rail services between England and Scotland. The Department for Transport has been working with Transport Scotland, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to identify further options for improvements to cross-border routes, which could further reduce journey times, ease congestion, and create jobs, investment opportunities, and environmental and economic benefits for the whole of Scotland. For North Wales, the plans would see passengers benefitting from an HS2 interchange at Crewe, with shorter journey times to London, Birmingham, the towns and cities of the Midlands and the Thames Valley area via Old Oak Common and elsewhere. In August 2019 the Prime Minister asked Doug Oakervee to chair an independent review of HS2 to provide advice on how and whether to proceed. The Government will set out the next steps for High Speed 2 in due course.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Crewe

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate that HS2 will reach and serve Crewe.

baroness vere of norbiton: Crewe will be served by Phase 2a of HS2. The advice from Allan Cook in his HS2 Ltd Chairman’s Stocktake Report, published in September 2019, indicated that a phased opening of Phase One between 2028 and 2031 is possible, with Phase 2a being delivered to the same schedule as Phase One.As part of the Terms of Reference, the Oakervee Review has considered whether the schedule for HS2 is realistic, including the advice from Allan Cook. The Government has made clear its intention to publish the Review’s final report and will set out the next steps for HS2 in due course, including Phase 2a and hence when Crewe will be served by HS2.

Trains

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the length of trains used for cross country routes; and if so, when they expect such trains to be introduced.

baroness vere of norbiton: The Department is currently working with the Cross Country operator to put in place additional capacity enhancements during 2021, and it is expected this will be achieved through longer trains, rather than extra services. In addition, further rolling stock options are being considered for the next Franchise.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many electric vehicle charging points have been installed at car parks operated by Network Rail; where those charging points have been installed; and what is Network Rail’s programme for future installation of such points.

baroness vere of norbiton: There are 35 car parks that are owned by Network Rail and operated on its behalf directly. Two charging points will be installed shortly at two of these stations, London Victoria and Birmingham New Street. Network Rail is developing plans to install 180 charging points across the 35 stations operated on its behalf by 2024. My Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State, has also recently written to Network Rail asking them to accelerate their plans for installing electric vehicle charge points. Other car parks are owned by Network Rail but operated by Train Operating Companies. Network Rail is currently collecting the charging point data for these car parks before developing a charging point strategy for them.

Aircraft: Electric Motors

lord davies of gower: To ask Her Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to encourage the development of hybrid electric aircraft in the UK.

lord davies of gower: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the development of battery-powered electric aircraft in the UK.

baroness vere of norbiton: The UK has a proud history of leading innovation in aviation and the Department for Transport is working closely with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ensure this continues. The Government recognises that new forms of aircraft such as hybrid and all electric have the potential to create new air services and decarbonise some existing routes. We are supporting the development and integration of this challenging technology through the Aerospace Sector Deal and the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge. Government and industry are jointly investing £300m in Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge. Through the Future Flight Challenge, consortia of industry and researchers will be supported to demonstrate the safe integration of electric and autonomous aircraft into UK airspace.

Railway Stations: Swansea

lord davies of gower: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on plans to develop a West Wales Parkway rail station near Swansea.

baroness vere of norbiton: My department, in collaboration with relevant parties in Wales, is progressing plans to boost connectivity and capacity for passengers across the south and west of Wales including a new West Wales Parkway station near Swansea. In December last year we received a study undertaken on behalf of the regional local authorities. We are currently assessing this, alongside previous work we have undertaken, to finalise proposals for a value-for-money railway enhancement scheme including a new station.

Motorways: Accidents

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been killed on smart motorways to date.

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government which minister or official made the decision to build smart motorways in the UK; and when that decision was made.

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following reports of safety concerns and the deaths of drivers using smart motorways, what plans they have to reintroduce the use of hard shoulders on such motorways while the safety ofsmart motorwaysis assessed.

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have received from the police about the safety of smart motorways.

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many miles of smart motorways have been created to date; what has been the total cost of that work; how many miles of such motorways are planned; and what is the estimated cost of such work.

lord framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the safety of smart motorways, or similar schemes, operating in other countries before introducing them in the UK.

baroness vere of norbiton: Any death on our roads is one too many. We want our roads to be as safe as possible. That is why the Secretary of State asked the Department to carry out an evidence stocktake to gather the facts about the safety of smart motorways and make recommendations. The Department will present the findings of the stocktake shortly. While I would not want to pre-judge the results of that work, what I can say is that we will continue to prioritise improving safety – making conditions safer for everyone on our roads. I will write to you as soon as the stocktake is completed to answer your specific question.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Leah Sharibu

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the abduction of Leah Sharibu, what assessment they have made of reports of her enslavement, forced conversion and pregnancy; what actions they have taken to secure her release; and what response they received from the government of Nigeria when they raisedher situationwith them.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The UK has made repeated calls for the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), including Leah Sharibu. We are appalled by and condemn her reported enslavement, forced conversion and pregnancy. In 2018, we offered expertise to help the Nigerian Government in their search for Leah and the other schoolgirls abducted from Dapchi, Borno State. We continue to use public messaging and our engagement with the Government of Nigeria to help secure the release of Leah and all those abducted by the insurgent groups. The Government of Nigeria have assured us that they are making all efforts to secure her return.

Saudi Arabia: Foreign Relations

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether during his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia on 20 January 2020, the Foreign Secretary raised (1) the alleged involvementof the government of Saudi Arabia in the hacking of Jeff Bezos’ phone; (2) the use of digital spyware and targeted surveillance more broadly; and (3) any ongoing evaluation of claims over the involvement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Foreign Secretary raised a number of bilateral issues during his meeting with HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, including on human rights.The verdicts in the trial of Jamal Khashoggi’s killers was released on 23 December 2019. The Foreign Secretary released a statement at the time reiterating that Mr Khashoggi’s killing was a terrible crime, and that his family deserve to see justice done. Saudi Arabia must hold all those responsible to account and ensure such an atrocity can never happen again. We have consistently set out our grave concerns - both publicly and privately - and will continue to do so.Any allegation of phone hacking is a concern. The alleged hacking of Jeff Bezos’s phone is not a matter for the British Government.

Hassan Mushaima

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further tothe Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 January (HL347), when political prisoner Hassan Mushaima was last taken for an appointment with a medical specialist for diabetes in Bahrain.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We do not hold that information. As I stated in my answer to PQ HL347, access to medical care for those in detention is guaranteed by the Constitution of Bahrain. We have been given categorical assurance privately and Bahrain have stated publicly that any inmate wishing to see the rehabilitation centre’s doctor is taken to the prison clinic. We welcome the public response from the Government of Bahrain in response to such claims and urge continued transparency.

Abduljalil Abdulla al-Singace

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 January (HL348)and followingthe joint statement by Human Rights Watch and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy on 8 October 2019 that “Bahrain’s authorities are failing to provide adequate medical care to high-profile prisoners”, (1) how many appointments Dr Abduljalil al-Singace has been able to attend without the imposition of shackles, and (2) what action they will take to ensure thathe receives the medical care he requires in line with international standards.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: As stated in my answer to PQ HL348, we continue to monitor the case of Abduljalil al-Singace and raise his case at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government has been clear in public statements that access to medical care for those in detention is guaranteed by the Constitution of Bahrain.

Bahrain: Political Prisoners

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in assessing the welfare of political prisoners in Bahrain,they take into consideration the findings of independent experts, in particular (1) the 18 September 2019 report by UN Special Rapporteurs on the systematic denial of specialised medical treatment of 10 political prisoners; (2) the joint statement on 8 October 2019 by Human Rights Watch and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy,Bahrain: Prisoners Denied Medical Care;and (3) concerns raised by family members of those prisoners.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government takes note of a number of sources of information on Bahrain; including publications and statements from non-governmental organisations. We encourage those with concerns about treatment in detention to report these to the appropriate oversight body.

Hajer Mansoor Hassan

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 January (HL345), in forming their assessment of the case of Hajer Mansoor, what consideration they have given to the findings of independent experts, in particular: (1) the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published on 7 January 2019; (2) the open letter published in The Guardian on 11 April 2019, signed by 54 signatories including prominent MPs and QCs; (3) an assessment by Amnesty International published on 22 February 2019 declaring Bahraini political prisoner Hajer Mansoor’s imprisonment to be arbitrary and in reprisal for Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei’s human rights work; and (4) other relevant findings.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government takes note of a number of sources of information on Bahrain when making our assessment; including publications and statements from non-governmental organisations. As I stated in my answer to PQ HL345, we have raised the case of Hajer Mansoor at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. We have been given categorical assurance privately and Bahrain have stated publically that Hajer Mansoor’s charges and conviction are not related to the activities of Mr Al Wadaei and has given details on charges. We continue to monitor this case.

Israel: Palestinians

baroness tonge: Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports of drug experimentation being conducted on Palestinian prisoners and schoolchildren in Palestine.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: None. We emphasise the importance of treating prisoners and detainees humanely and in accordance with international law.

Visas: EU Countries

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK students intending to travel in the EU in 2021 will be able to remain in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180 day period.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The EU has already legislated such that British nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180-day period. This will apply from the end of the transition period to all British nationals travelling to and within the Schengen area for tourism, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, to attend business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities.Provisions for British nationals, including students, intending to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period will depend on the approach taken by the EU or by the relevant Member State(s). British nationals intending to stay in the Schengen Area for longer may need a visa or permit to do so. Member State rules vary and British nationals should check entry requirements with the Embassy of the relevant Member State.Further information for British nationals currently studying or travelling, or intending to study or travel, in the EU is available on gov.uk.

Visas: EU Countries

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens travelling by (1) mobile home, (2) yacht, (3) barge, or (4) bicycle, will be able to remain in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180 day period after December 2020.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The EU has already legislated such that British nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180-day period. This will apply from the end of the transition period to all British nationals travelling to and within the Schengen Area for tourism, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, to attend business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities. Further detail is available on the European Commission's website.Provisions for British nationals intending to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period will depend on the approach taken by the EU or by the relevant Member State (s). British nationals intending to stay in the Schengen Area for longer may need a visa or permit to do so. Member State rules vary and British nationals should check with the Embassy of the relevant Member State for what type of visa or permit, if any, they will need.The FCO's Travel Advice pages provide the most up to date information on entry requirements for travellers. We will update those pages if there are any changes for British nationals travelling to EU Member States.

Visas: EU Countries

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens who own a second home in the EU will be limited to spending only 90 days in any 180 day period in the Schengen area after December 2020.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The EU has already legislated such that British nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180-day period. This will apply from the end of the transition period to all British nationals travelling to and within the Schengen Area for tourism, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, to attend business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities.British nationals, including second homeowners, who intend to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period may need a visa or permit from the relevant Member State to do so. Member State rules vary, and British nationals should check with the Embassy of the relevant Member State for what type of visa or permit, if any, they will need.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Travel Advice pages provide the most up to date information on entry requirements for British Nationals staying in the EU. We will update those pages if there are any changes for British nationals travelling to EU Member States.

Jerusalem: Sovereignty

the lord bishop of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the competing claims to the territory of East Jerusalem and the prospects for a likely resolution to such claims.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK's longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear and has not changed: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. A final determination of the status of Jerusalem should be sought as part of a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

Bangladesh: Refugees

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the government of Bangladesh and theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure the safety of non-Muslim refugees in the refugee camps in Bangladesh, and in particular, the Kutupalong Camp.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of reports of attacks on Christian Rohingya refugee families in Kutupalong, Bangladesh, and are monitoring the situation closely. The British Government is committed to improving the safety of all the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We will continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the safety and well-being of all the Rohingya refugees, including those at risk of religious persecution.

Burma: Rohingya

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they are planning to take in relation to the ruling of the International Court of JusticeApplication of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar), issued on 23 January.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have welcomed the International Court of Justice's decision on provisional measures, which was clear that Myanmar must do more to protect the Rohingya. On the 4 February, at the request of the UK and partners, the UN Security Council met to discuss the decision. In our statement to the Council, we urged Myanmar to abide by the provisional measures.

Department of Health and Social Care

Doctors: Stress

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Resilience burnout and coping mechanisms in UK doctors: a cross-sectional study, published in the British Medical Journal on 27 January.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Government is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of doctors, so that doctors can continue to support the health and wellbeing of their patients. The National Health Service currently provides mental health support for doctors in England through the NHS Practitioner Health Programme, a mental health assessment and treatment service that NHS doctors and dentists can access via confidential self-referral.The Government is committed to addressing the pressures facing NHS staff, including those caused by staff shortages. The NHS will publish the final NHS People Plan in early 2020, ensuring the NHS has a workforce with the appropriate people and skills to meet demand. A ‘new offer’ will be published alongside this plan, detailing the health and wellbeing support that all NHS staff can expect to receive from their employer.

Better Care Fund

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned any independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the Better Care Fund in (1) improving the discharge of patients from acute hospitals and (2) reducing pressure on local authority adult social care budgets.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Policy Research Unit on Quality and Outcomes of Person-Centred Care (QORU) was commissioned by the Department to carry out a system’s level evaluation of the Better Care Fund (BCF) covering its first year in 2015/16. A system-level evaluation of the Better Care Fund: Final Report was published in 2018, a copy of which is attached.QORU found that areas which spent more BCF money per person had fewer delayed transfers of care than areas with low spending and concluded that the BCF reduced delays. The evaluation also found that local areas planned to spend a quarter of their BCF funding on maintaining social care services in 2015/16, underlining the contribution that the BCF makes to maintaining social care expenditure.We continue to monitor and evaluate the BCF, to inform our approach to the Fund going forward. Last year, 93% of local areas agreed that joint working had improved as a result of the BCF.



Better Care Fund: Final Report
(PDF Document, 1.87 MB)

Hospital Beds

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimates they have made of the proportion of patients in acute hospital wards in England that are there inappropriately because of the absence of adult social care services; what the annual cost of such patients is to the NHS; and what plans they have to reduce such proportions and costs.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The information is not available in the format requested.

Hospital Beds

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average daily cost of a bed in (1) an acute hospital ward; (2) a nursing home; and (3) a residential care home, in England in the latest financial year for which information is available.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The average daily costs of a bed in an acute hospital ward and in a care home setting are calculated differently and come from different sources, so are not directly comparable.

Electronic Cigarettes

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatstatistics they haveabout the prevalence of e-cigarette use, particularly among young people; what evidence they are collecting to determine whether e-cigarettes and vaping devices are an effective way to stop smoking; and what action they are taking to ensure that there is full awareness of the health risks of using e-cigarettes and vaping devices amongst young people.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: Data from nationally representative surveys indicate that, in England, current vaping among young people remains low and concentrated among those who have already smoked. Among adults, vaping prevalence is 6.3%, with almost all vapers being smokers or ex-smokers. This data can be found in the attached Office for National Statistics statistical bulletin, Adult smoking habits in the United Kingdom: 2018.Smoking rates continue to decline among both adults and youth. Public Health England (PHE) monitors the developing evidence on effectiveness of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking. A major UK randomised control trial has found e-cigarettes to be twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapy products when combined with behavioural support.Data from English stop smoking services indicate that people who use an e-cigarette in their attempt to quit have the highest success rates. UK regulation of e-cigarettes includes measures to protect young people, including a ban on most forms of advertising, a minimum age of sale of 18 years and a ban on proxy purchasing.PHE provides evidence-based information to healthcare professionals, teachers and the public about the relative harmfulness of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and smoked tobacco.



Adult smoking habits in the United Kingdom
(PDF Document, 862.18 KB)

Urinary Tract Infections

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposed Commissioning for Quality and Innovation for urinary tract infections will include any specific references to catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The 2020/21 Commissioning for Quality and Innovation scheme for urinary tract infections will include specific reference to catheter-associated urinary tract infections, aligned to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence antimicrobial prescribing guidance NG113.

Embryos

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 22 November 2016 (HL3075), how many human embryos were deliberately destroyed in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many human embryos were transferred to uteri in order to establish pregnancies; and what are the cumulative figures for both circumstances since such procedures were made legal.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The information requested is shown in the following tables. The following table provides the figures for each of the last 12 months, 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018. The data is as shown on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) register database on 5 February 2020. This is a live database so these figures reflect the data on this day.YearMonthTotal destroyed /discarded Total embryos transferred2018January13,283 5,398February15,193 7,352March16,257 7,360April15,150 6,728May15,300 6,735June15,520 6,263July15,236 6,598August15,057 6,779September13,485 6,187October16,087 7,002November16,029 7,637December10,597 4,734Total177,194 78,773Source:Source: HFEA The following table provides the cumulative figures for both circumstances since 1 August 1991.1 August 1991 – 31 December 2018Total number of embryos discarded/destroyed2,931,824Total number of embryos transferred1,979,831 Source: HFEA

Health Professions

lord willis of knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) registered nurses, (2) registered nursing associates, and (3) registered midwives, are on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register (a) in total, and (b) whose initial registration was in another European Union country.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The following table shows the current number of registered nurses, registered nursing associates, and registered midwives on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register. Midwife36,916Nurse653,544Nurse and midwife (dual registration)7,288Nursing associate489Total698,237  The following table shows the current number of registered nurses, registered nursing associates, and registered midwives currently on NMC Register whose initial registration was in other European Union countries. Midwife1,217Nurse31,379Nurse and midwife (dual registration)439Nursing associate0Total33,035 All figures are as recorded on the NMC register on 4 February 2020.

In Vitro Fertilisation

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord O'Shaughnessy on 24 October 2017 (HL1882), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority now holds information on methods of freezing; if not, why not; and if so, how many human embryos were (1) transferred to uteri to establish pregnancies, (2) destroyed, and (3) allocated for destruction but have not yet been destroyed, following (a) vitrification, and (b) slow freezing methods, in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it does not hold information on which methods of freezing are used.The HFEA is required under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to keep a register recording identifiable information on patients, the treatments they undergo and their outcomes. This information does not include the method used to freeze sperm, eggs or embryos.

Coronavirus

lord birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 30 January (HL734), why those arriving in the UK on commercial flights from Wuhan after the Government had received reports of coronavirus received no medical intervention when those evacuated on the flight from Wuhan organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are to be quarantined for 14 days.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The supported isolation model used following the flight from Wuhan organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31 January and the subsequent flight on 2 February was undertaken as a highly precautionary measure. Direct flights from Wuhan ceased on 24 January. On 30 January the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the risk associated with return from the epicentre of the outbreak had increased.We are asking anyone in the United Kingdom who has returned from Hubei Province in the last 14 days to self-isolate, to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.

Vaccination: Children

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actionthey are taking to ensure that the performance standard for the uptake of nearly all routine pre-school vaccinations is met.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: As announced in the Prevention Green Paper, Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s published in July 2019, the Government is committed to publishing a national Vaccine Strategy which will be available shortly. As part of this strategy, we are considering a wide array of options, including rolling out text reminder services to families, to increase our vaccination uptake rates and ensure they reach the 95% standard set for the majority of vaccine programmes.

Vaccination: Children

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of the impact of anti-vaccination messages on the uptake of all routine pre-school vaccinations.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: England’s national vaccination programme is well-regarded globally, with uptake levels for most of our pre-school vaccinations above 90%. Parental attitudinal surveys conducted by Public Health England demonstrate that there is high confidence in our vaccine programmes and that 94% of parents rate the National Health Service as the most trusted source of information on immunisation.However, despite a recent uptick in vaccination uptake rates, the Department remains concerned about the slow and steady decline in vaccine uptake rates since 2013. Whilst the impact of anti-vaccination messaging on uptake is hard to quantify, we take the issue of misinformation about vaccines extremely seriously. We are working across Government and with social media companies on innovative ways to tackle the proliferation of anti-vaccine messaging on their sites and ensuring that reputable sources are the most prominent.

Vaccination: Children

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actionthey are taking to improve consistency by healthcare professionals in reminding parents to vaccinate their children.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Department is aware that effective reminder systems are likely to be a key factor in improving vaccine uptake. This was highlighted in the January 2019 Royal Society for Public Health report Moving the Needle, which noted that such services are desired by 80% of United Kingdom adults surveyed. As such, the Department is considering options for improved, and more consistent, methods for reminding parents of vaccination appointments, including rolling out a text reminder service, as announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in November 2019.More widely, the Government is committed to publishing a national Vaccine Strategy as announced in July 2019 as part of the Prevention Green Paper, Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s. The strategy, which will be published shortly, carefully considers an array of options to improve our vaccine uptake rates.

Vaccination: Children

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actionthey are taking to make it easier for parents to access vaccination services for their children.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: As announced in the June 2019 Prevention Green Paper, Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s, the Government is committed to publishing a Vaccine Strategy, which considers a range of actions to address access to vaccination services as an important factor in improving vaccine uptake.In addition, the NHS Long Term Plan committed to a fundamental review of general practitioner (GP) vaccination and immunisation standards, funding and procurement, alongside a review of GP access. Interim findings of this work were published on 25 October and are being fed into the ongoing GP contract negotiations.

Department for Education

Qualifications

baroness bull: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the value of (a) history, (b) politics, and (c) modern languages qualifications in the workforce of the future; and (2) the value of having studied such subjects for improved (a) international relations, and (b) intercultural understanding.

lord agnew of oulton: ​The government’s assessment is that studying these subjects can provide pupils with knowledge that will help them in later life, including improving their understanding of international relations and their intercultural understanding. We are pleased that the proportion of pupils taking history and languages GCSEs has increased since the government’s introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure in 2010. Studying the EBacc subjects keeps pupils’ options open for further study and future employment.

Languages: Education

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to enhance the teaching of foreign languages in England.

lord agnew of oulton: We are improving the teaching of foreign languages through our £4.8 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot, which commenced in December 2018. It is managed by the newly appointed MFL Centre for Excellence and is run through nine school-led hubs, to strengthen languages teaching at key stages 3 and 4 and to improve take up and attainment in the subject.Recruiting and retaining excellent languages teachers is also a priority for this government. This is why we are offering tax-free bursaries of £26,000 for languages trainees with a 2:2 degree or higher starting their teacher training in 2020/21. Languages teachers will also receive three early-career payments totalling £6,000 spread across years 2, 3 and 4 of teaching. Those teaching languages in 39 local authority areas we have identified as having high need for teachers will receive higher payments totalling £9,000.The department is also offering prestigious scholarships to those starting their teacher training in 2020/21 in languages. These scholarships are delivered in partnership with the British Council and successful scholars will receive a tax-free bursary of £28,000, as well as the same early-career payments as those who receive a bursary. All successful scholars will also receive a package of support provided by the professional bodies including free membership, resources and early career support.These targeted initiatives form part of our wider strategy to recruit and retain teachers. The impact of commitments in the strategy - such as the Early Career Framework and plans to raise starting salaries to £30,000 by 2022/23 - will be felt by teachers of all subjects, including languages.In terms of wider support for languages study, the English Baccalaureate performance measure, which includes languages, has seen the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state-funded schools in a modern foreign language (MFL) increase from 40% in 2010 to 47% in 2019. The reformed national curriculum now makes it compulsory for pupils in maintained schools to be taught a foreign language in key stage 2.

Erasmus+ Programme

lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that British students can continue to participate in the Erasmus Plus programme.

baroness berridge: The Withdrawal Agreement Act 2020 ensures that students, young people, and learners will be able to participate fully in the remainder of the current Erasmus+ programme and organisations should continue to bid for the Erasmus+ programme to the end of 2020.As stated in the Political Declaration, the UK is open to participation in certain EU programmes, such as the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-27), if it is in our interest to do so.The proposed regulations for the next 2021-27 Erasmus+ programme are still being discussed in the EU and have yet to be finalised. Future participation in EU programmes will be a subject of our negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship.

Erasmus+ Programme

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what involvement UK Ministers and officials have had in the development of the proposed Erasmus Regulation for 2021–27.

baroness berridge: Since it was first published by the European Commission in May 2018, the government has been involved in discussions on the draft regulation for the next programme. Discussions in the EU institutions are ongoing and the regulation has yet to be finalised. Future participation in EU programmes will be a subject of our negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship.

College Financial Monitoring Review

the lord bishop of winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the review by Dame Mary Neyinto college financial monitoring, commissioned in August 2019.

lord agnew of oulton: Ministers are currently considering the report from the Independent Review of College Financial Oversight, carried out by Dame Mary Ney DBE.The department plans to publish the report, with the government response, in due course.

Ministry of Justice

Terrorism: Prisoners' Release

lord anderson of ipswich: Her Majesty's Government (1) how many convicted terrorists have been released from prisons in (a) Great Britain, and (b) Northern Ireland, since 2001; and (2) how many such convicted terrorists in each category have been convicted of further terrorist offences committed after their release.

lord keen of elie: 1a) Between January 2013 and December 2019, 196 individuals convicted of a terrorist offence (individuals who have been convicted under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) have been released from prison in England and Wales. Prior to 2013, release data on Terrorism Act offenders was held at a local and regional level by relevant law enforcement partners, but not recorded centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Release data for Scotland is not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter. 1b) Release data for Northern Ireland is not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter. 2) Between January 2013 and December 2019, 6 individuals (3.06%) convicted of a terrorist offence (who have been convicted under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) have been released from prison and have been convicted of a further terrorist offence (under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) in England and Wales. Prior to 2013, release data on Terrorism Act offenders was held at a local and regional level by relevant law enforcement partners, but not recorded centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Recidivism rates for Scotland and Northern Ireland are not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter. All those convicted of an offence under the Terrorism Act who have been released on probation are closely managed by the National Probation Service. HMPPS works closely with law enforcement partners to share information and manage the risks that these offenders present in custody and on probation to reduce the risk of reoffending, and to support them to reintegrate into the community.

Department for International Trade

Internet: Safety

lord foster of bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of the UK’s ability to introduce online harms legislation if safe harbour provisions form part of any future free trade agreement with the government of the US.

lord foster of bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had any discussions with trade representatives from the government of the US in relation to section 230 of the Communications Decency Act 1996.

lord foster of bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with trade representatives from the government of the US in relation to intermediary liability.

the earl of courtown: This Government is committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online and the best place to start and grow a digital business. We will carefully consider any interaction between trade policy and online harms policy in future trade agreements.The UK Government has engaged with US Trade Representative on a range of areas including digital trade. Inevitably there is speculation as to what each side will want to achieve in a future UK-US deal, but it is too soon to say exactly what would be covered.

Trade Promotion

lord whitby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Prime Minister's trade envoy programme in respect of its role in promoting the UK's trade and investment opportunities.

the earl of courtown: The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys support ministers in showcasing the UK’s world class expertise in priority business sectors and promote the UK as the destination of choice for inward investment. Trade Envoys undertake the role on a voluntary basis and act as powerful advocates of UK businesses including a wide range of activity, such as: addressing market seminars and business to business groups; hosting receptions for inward missions; leading UK businesses to market; and facilitating introductions with key decision makers. Trade Envoys add value to the efforts of HMG in their respective markets, through the soft power influence they bring in developing relationships with key influencers and feedback from businesses has been very positive. Trade Envoys are one part of the Department for International Trade’s support for British businesses seeking to export and win contracts overseas and we do not separate out the impact of Trade Envoys from our broader measures as part of the Export Strategy.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Housing: Students

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific steps they are taking to ensure that students living in blocks with aluminium composite material cladding which does not comply with safety regulations are aware of the dangers of such cladding.

viscount younger of leckie: Building owners are responsible for building safety. The Government has worked closely with local authorities and Fire and Rescue Services to ensure that interim safety measures are in place in all high-rise student accommodation buildings with unsafe ACM cladding, until the cladding is replaced. We have regular engagement with a named contact from each building to ensure progress with remediation is being made. Further delay from building owners is unacceptable and their buildings must be made safe as soon as possible . Where building owners are failing to make acceptable progress, those responsible should expect further action to be taken – including naming and shaming and enforcement.

Invalid Vehicles

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of planning legislation to allow for the assessment of (1) the potential increase of mobility scooter use, and (2) any increase in risk to users of mobility scooters and others arising out of that increase, due to the building of care properties.

viscount younger of leckie: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that applications for development should address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport, and that developments should create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible. These policies should ensure that when considering planning applications, such as the building of care properties, local authorities take account of the needs of all users, including users of mobility scooters, and satisfy their obligations under the equalities legislation.The department's officials have been working closely with officials at DfT to produce planning practice guidance on sustainable transport and accessibility which will be published shortly, and will sit alongside the National Design Guide which provides guidance on designing movement networks that are safe and accessible for all.

Care Homes: Fire Regulations

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for a statutory maximum height for care homes to enable reasonable escape provisions in the event of fires, particularly taking into account the prevalence of (1) reduced mobility, and (2) dementia, of such residents.

viscount younger of leckie: On 18 December, the Government published, a call for evidence to form the basis for a technical review of Approved Document B (Fire Safety). Paragraphs 35 to 36 address the issue of means of escape for disabled people. The call for evidence closed on 15 March 2019 and the Department published in September 2019 an analysis of the responses to the call for evidence which is available (attached) at:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/technical-review-of-approved-document-b-of-the-building-regulations-a-call-for-evidenceThe Secretary of State announced in his letter to the House on 20 January 2020 that he will set out detailed plans for the full technical review of fire safety guidance in February, including a review of means of escape for disabled people. 



Call for evidence
(PDF Document, 4.25 MB)

Home Office

Extradition

baroness clark of calton: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have not included the identity of the designated authority in the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill; who the proposed designated authority is for the purposes of that Bill; and what plans they have to include the identity of that authority in that Bill.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government considers that the designation of the authority responsible for issuing a certificate is an appropriate matter to be left to secondary legislation.A regulation-making power would afford the appropriate degree of flexibility to amend the designated authority in light of changing circumstances, including alterations to the functions of law enforcement bodies in the UK.

Extradition

baroness clark of calton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for thedesignated authority in their proposed changes to extradition in the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill; and whether any such changes will be independent of (1) ministerial, and (2) police, influence.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government’s intention is to designate the National Crime Agency, which is the UK’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, as the designated authority for the purposes of the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill.The NCA is the law enforcement agency responsible for leading the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime and is operationally independent of the Home Office.As the designated authority it will be for the NCA to decide whether to certify or not a particular arrest request. The arrested person will have to be brought before a judge within 24 hours to consider their detention.

Extradition

baroness clark of calton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review their decision to designate the National Crime Agency as a designated authority for extradition purposes in the explanatory memorandum for the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill; and what assessment they have made of the case for any such designated authority being one which is independent of the (1) police, and (2) Government ministers.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government’s intention is to designate the National Crime Agency, which is the UK’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, as the designated authority for the purposes of the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill.The NCA is the law enforcement agency responsible for leading the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime and is operationally independent of the Home Office.Parliament will have the opportunity to debate the designated authority as the Bill progresses through the House as well as all the other provisions it contains.

Extradition

baroness clark of calton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government about the Government's proposed changes to extradition law, and in particular any changes to the role of the judiciary in Scotland; and what were the outcomes of any such discussions.

baroness williams of trafford: Extensive consultation has taken place on this Bill with the Scottish Government, Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General on all the matters in scope.The Minister of State for Security has written to the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, outlining the purpose and effect of this legislation.

Arrest Warrants

baroness clark of calton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many requests for arrests were made from police in England and Wales to judges in (1) Scotland, and (2) the rest of the United Kingdom, in (a) 2016–17; (b) 2017–18; and (c) 2018–19; and in how many such cases a delay resulted in a failure to arrest.

baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office does not hold records on applications for arrest warrants by police forces in any of the UK’s jurisdictions. These records may be held by individual police forces.

Alcoholic Drinks: Minimum Prices

lord brooke of alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the findings of the report by NHS Health ScotlandEvaluating the impacts of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland, published on 2 October 2019, what plans they have to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol in England.

baroness williams of trafford: Minimum Unit Price (MUP) has been in place in Scotland for less than two years and the Scottish Parliament will not consider its extension until 2024. A decision on its introduction in England is for the future.

Cabinet Office

Elections: Disinformation

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of misinformation and disinformation on the last General Election; and what plans they have to mitigate any risks to the UK’s electoral system arising from such misinformation and disinformation.

earl howe: The Government has a coordinated structure in place working with relevant organisations to identify and respond to emerging issues, and protect the safety and security of democratic processes. We have worked with a large number of organisations to do this, including social media companies and civil society organisations.One way to combat the spread of misinformation or disinformation online and limit its potential impact on democratic debate is to ensure that people have the critical literacy skills and digital skills to enable them to assess and analyse the information they read online. In the Online Harms White Paper the Government committed to developing a new online media literacy strategy. This strategy will ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to online media literacy education and awareness for children, young people and adults. The Government is also taking action to increase public awareness with our Don’t Feed The Beast campaign. This aims to educate and empower those who see, inadvertently share and are affected by false and misleading information.The Government remains committed to the integrity of UK elections and ensuring they are secure and fit for the modern age. We have announced that it will implement an imprints regime for digital election material. This will ensure greater transparency and make it clearer to the electorate who has produced and promoted online political materials.

UK Trade with EU

lord bowness: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to negotiate terms to provide for (1) the mutual recognition of driving licences, (2) participation in the European Health Insurance Card, and (3) mutual recognition of disability parking cards, as part of a free trade agreement with (a) the EU, or (b) each member state.

lord bethell: I refer the noble Lord to Written Ministerial Statement HLWS83 made by the Lord Privy Seal.

Honours

lord blunkett: Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byEarl Howe on 20 January (HL106), how many people received a CBE or higher honour in the New Year Honours List 2020 in each of (1) the regions in England, and (2) the nations of the UK.

earl howe: Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve diversity in the honours system. For example, we now consistently see around half of awards overall going to women, and in the New Year 2020 Honours List, 44% of senior honours went to women. Around 10% of awards go to recipients from a BAME background. We welcome more nominations from under-represented regions and we are running a programme of regional events to promote the system in those areas most under-represented. Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at CBE level or higher on the New Year Honours List 2020 can be found below. Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. REGIONNUMBER OF NY20 RECIPIENTS AT CBE AND ABOVE PERCENTAGE OF NY20 RECIPIENTS AT CBE AND ABOVEPERCENTAGE OF UK POPULATIONEAST85.2%9.3%EAST MIDLANDS31.9%7.2%LONDON7447.4%12.9%NORTH EAST21.3%4.1%NORTHERN IRELAND42.6%2.9%NORTH WEST95.8%11.2%SCOTLAND74.5%8.4%SOUTH EAST3220.5%13.7%SOUTH WEST31.9%8.4%WALES10.6%4.8%WEST MIDLANDS74.5%8.9%YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE53.2%8.4%

Treasury

Financial Services: UK Trade with EU

baroness falkner of margravine: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations they have undertaken with (1) central clearing parties, (2) asset managers, (3) investment banks, and (4) insurance firms, about regulations for future market access to the EU; whether they intend to undertake a public consultation on future EU market access for financial services; and if so, when.

the earl of courtown: The Government is in regular contact with the financial services industry on a range of EU issues, including the future relationship. This has included ministerial and official meetings with a wide range of central clearing parties, asset managers, investment banks, and insurance firms, among others, in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.HM Treasury will continue to engage with the financial services sector as negotiations with the EU progress.

Brexit: Coinage

lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total cost of the destruction of the coins minted to commemorate the UK's withdrawal from the EU which stated the incorrect exit day.

the earl of courtown: Approximately 1 million coins were minted in October to mark the UK’s exit from the European Union. Coins bearing this date are to be recycled and the value from the materials will be recouped by the Exchequer. The value gained from recycling these coins is commercially sensitive.

Capital Investment

lord birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that International Monetary Fund data shows that the UK is placed 27th out of 28 EU countries for investment as a proportion of GDP between 2000 and 2019.

the earl of courtown: We recognise that in recent years the UK has seen relatively low levels of investment. This Government has committed to increase investment through improving infrastructure. The National Infrastructure Strategy, to be published alongside the Budget, will set out further details of the Government’s plan to transform the UK’s infrastructure and the Government’s long-term ambitions across transport, local growth, decarbonisation, digital infrastructure, infrastructure finance and delivery. The UK corporate tax regime is highly competitive, with the lowest rate of corporation tax in the G20. Beyond this, businesses are benefitting from enhanced tax incentives, including the recent introduction of the Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA), and a temporary increase in the Annual Investment Allowance to £1 million.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Rugby: Disadvantaged

lord caine: Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofThe Rugby League Dividend report, published by the Rugby Football League on 22 August 2019, on the economic and social impact of rugby league in disadvantaged communities and the role of sport in promoting social mobility.

baroness barran: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 06 February 2020.The correct answer should have been:

The Government welcomes the RFL’s Dividend Report which demonstrates the valuable contribution that rugby league can have within communities. Rugby League is a fantastic example of how sport and physical activity can play a leading role in engaging people from every background. The Government’s Sporting Future strategy is explicit that that everyone, regardless of background, sex, age or level of ability should be able to engage in sport and physical activity as participants, spectators and in the workplace, and that sport and physical activity should be valued for the much broader positive impact it can have across a range of physical, social and economic outcomes. The strategy included a specific focus on engaging people from groups in society that have traditionally been underrepresented in sport and physical activity and who have the most to gain from getting more active. Government is directly supporting rugby league through more than £11m of Sport England investment in the Rugby Football League over 2017-21 and investment of up to £10m in rugby league facilities to help drive a legacy from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

baroness barran: The Government welcomes the RFL’s Dividend Report which demonstrates the valuable contribution that rugby league can have within communities. Rugby League is a fantastic example of how sport and physical activity can play a leading role in engaging people from every background. The Government’s Sporting Future strategy is explicit that that everyone, regardless of background, sex, age or level of ability should be able to engage in sport and physical activity as participants, spectators and in the workplace, and that sport and physical activity should be valued for the much broader positive impact it can have across a range of physical, social and economic outcomes. The strategy included a specific focus on engaging people from groups in society that have traditionally been underrepresented in sport and physical activity and who have the most to gain from getting more active. Government is directly supporting rugby league through more than £11m of Sport England investment in the Rugby Football League over 2017-21 and investment of up to £10m in rugby league facilities to help drive a legacy from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Women and Equalities

Hate Crime: Females

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they collect on incidences of misogynistic hate speech against women in public life; what assessment they have made of whether misogynistic hate speech is increasing; and what action they are taking to encourage women to (1) enter, and (2) remain, in public life.

baroness williams of trafford: Misogyny is not a hate crime in law, therefore no data is held about specific incidences. The Government has heard concerns about existing legislation and asked the Law Commission to undertake a full review of hate crime legislation, which will report in early 2021.The Government is committed to ensuring that women are able to participate fully in public life. Our Public Appointments Diversity Action plan, published in June 2019, sets out the actions we are taking to ensure that, by 2022, 50% of public appointees are women. Additionally, projects funded by our £5 million Women's Suffrage Centenary Fund included an AskHerToStand event for 350 women giving them invaluable help to get on the first rung of a political career.We have more women MPs and councillors than ever before and there are now 220 women MPs (34%), up from 22% in 2010. I am pleased this is the most gender balanced parliament on record.